PARKER

"Should I get a bouquet or corsage?"

Brooks and I burst into laughter, watching our friend run around the flower shop with his head cut off.

"Con, it's a fuckin' banquet, not prom." I manage to get out in between breaths.

He huffs. "Well, then what's her favorite flower? I don't want to get the wrong ones."

"How the hell would I know?"

"Brooks, what is it?" He looks at the boy barely standing up.

Brooks slaps his shoulder. "You're her date, not me. You should know this shit."

We got back to school a few hours ago, leaving us with just enough time to get ready for the banquet tonight.

I have not seen Dakota since we left a few days ago, and while I do not think she slept well, she insists everything was fine. I think her sunken eyes on facetime tell a different story.

When I told Connor I was going to come and get her flowers before we went to their place, he immediately went into panic mode. Even though this is technically a date for him and Ellie, and they both are obviously into eachother, they claim they're just friends.

A seemingly very nice old lady starts to approach us. "Can I help you boys with anything?"

I step up. "Yes ma'am, I'm looking for a lavender bouquet."

"What a great choice," she smiles. "And you, hon?"

"I have no idea," Connor throws his hands in the air, defeated.

She gives him a book with every flower combination she can create, and he spends a good twenty minutes flipping back and forth between the pages. He finally settles on three: sunflowers, roses, and tulips.

As I'm about to check out, Brooks taps my shoulder. "I really like those, Cadell."

Knowing exactly what he wants, I sigh, telling the store owner that I need a second bouquet for the now giddy guy behind me. I can not lie though, it's really nice. Not only is it gigantic, but it consists mainly of baby's breath with lavender mixed in.

She gets everything ready quickly, and I'm eager to get to our next stop.

~

We end up getting to the apartment ten minutes later than planned, and Connor lets us inside with his key.

Ellie is standing in the living room, wearing an off-the-shoulder, floor-length black gown.

Brooks steps up first, pushing past an open-mouthed Connor, and wraps her in a huge hug. "Wanna be my date instead, baby girl?"

She giggles, kissing his cheek. "Sorry, but I don't think my current date would like that very much."

I shove Connor closer to her, and he holds out the flowers. "Hey, El. Uh- I didn't know what your favorite flower is, so I just got a bunch."

Trying not to laugh, I watch as Ellie accepts them, struggling to hold everything. "Thank you, Con, they're beautiful."

"You- you look beautiful."

"My god, Connor, you're pitiful." I slap a hand over my eyes, "I can't watch this anymore."

I step around my friend, side-hugging Ellie. "You look great. Is Kota in her room?"

When she nods, I hurry down the hall, excited to see the girl who is always on my mind.

My breath catches in my throat and my heart drops to my stomach when I catch a glimpse of her profile, watching her put earrings in.

The sky-blue dress accents her tan skin, and her long hair is pinned halfway up. Her entire back is exposed, only small crisscrossed straps holding it up. It has a low V-neck, and a slit that ends at her upper thigh, making me wonder what would happen if my hand 'accidentally' slipped too high.

Before this moment, I had never understood what people meant when they said they fell in love with someone all over again.

I jump forward when she starts to put on her rings, grabbing them from her so that I can do it instead.

She watches me closely as I slide them all on, and grabs the lapels of my jacket when I finish. "Hey, baby, you look handsome."

My hands trail up her arms, leaving goosebumps in their wake. "You're so gorgeous, Dakota."

"Were those for me?" She motions to the bouquet of flowers that I dropped on the floor.

I honestly didn't even realize that I did.

"Yeah," I release her and grab them. "M'lady."

Dakota takes them with a giggle, keeping them in her hold while her arms go around my neck, and her lips hit mine. "Happy valentines day," she mumbles.

"Jesus fuck," I pull back. "You're making me forget everything I'm supposed to be saying right now."

"That's okay," she smirks. "I'll let you make it up to me later."

When she walks away, letting a hand brush over my crotch, I just about fall to the floor.

It's gonna be a long-ass night.

~

The second we walked in, Coach Cooper whisked us guys away to network, meaning we had to send the girls off by themselves.

I'd say seventy-five percent of my focus is on the Seattle rep speaking to me, but the rest is making sure Dakota and Ellie are okay. They've been sitting at the same table, talking to Austin's new girlfriend for a while now. Being the great people they are, most of the team's girlfriends have also begun to join them.

"You've been playing very well this season, Parker. We could definitely use a player like you for the postseason this year."

My head snaps back to him at that comment. "Thank you, sir. You seem to have a fantastic lineup this year, some very talented guys."

"We can never have enough, though." He winks at me, stepping away.

To be honest, I never thought I could run into anything like this. Two teams showing interest in me. Especially now that Dakota and I are planning on moving in together in a few short months. When Coach catches my eyes across the room, I hurry over to him.

"How'd it go?"

"I think Seattle might try to call me up," I speak quietly.

He claps a hand on my shoulder. "That's fantastic!"

My brows furrow. "I want to go to Nashville."

"Cadell, you want to be in the NHL. Nobody gets to pick and choose where they end up." His voice lowers, "I'm making sure all bases are covered for you. You're going to get at least one call, and we both know you can't turn any offer down. We're in the home stretch."

Nodding at him, I walk towards Connor and Brooks, who are standing at the bar. I would really like to go work out some stress right now, but I know that's far from an option. We all nurse beers, and Brooks cheers me up quickly, even though I never told them anything was wrong in the first place.

When I finally feel half-normal again, I steal a bottle of champagne, pour my girl a glass, and head over to the table full of girlfriends.

Walking up behind Dakota, I place a single hand on her soft shoulder. "Sorry to interrupt, but do you all mind if I steal her away?"

They all say goodbye to her, some of them even exchanging numbers. Finally getting her to myself, I whisk her out to the balcony, right next to a heater. Much to my liking, she immediately wraps a single arm around me, fisting the material on my back.

"I brought champagne in case you wanted it."

She eyes it carefully. "Did you get it from a waiter?"

Ever since the whole Josh incident, she's been nervous about ordering drinks in public. "Nope, I poured it myself," I pop a kiss on her head.

"How'd you manage that?"

"Easy. Snuck behind the bar and grabbed the bottle."

She smiles wide. "It's like you love me or something."

"Or something," I whisper, squeezing her waist a bit.

We stand in silence, holding eachother as if we'll never see eachother again after this moment. Her, feeling both happy and safe, and me because now that I'm with her, I'm back to thinking of my earlier conversation.

I have no idea how long we stand together, but the second I feel goosebumps begin to rise on her skin, I'm ushering us back inside. When we do, Miles, a sophomore, intercepts us.

"Hey, Dakota, remember when you taught me to salsa dance on Cadell's birthday?"

"Yes," she giggles, placing her empty glass on a table. "Did you want to practice?"

He grabs her now free hand, pulling her from my grip. "You read my mind, baby cakes."

I'm only half-annoyed when she walks away, but the smile on her face as he starts to twirl her around makes everything feel right.

~

Okay, Listen. I didn't mind Miles stealing her away for a few minutes, but now it's been almost an hour, and I'm over it.

Dodging many couples dancing, I slowly make my way out to them. "Miles, times up! I want my girl back."

He pouts at Dakota, silently begging her to send me away since they're having fun.

She pats him on the shoulder. "You heard the boy. I'll see you at the next game."

"Ugh fine. I'll just go show Ellie my new moves," he smirks, running off.

I waste no time wrapping her up in my arms, swaying to the light hum of music. We dance in silence for a few minutes until the next song comes on and she looks up at me, smiling.

"This is the same song I've always dreamed of dancing to at my wedding," she blushes.

Storing that information in the back of my mind, I lean down and kiss her softly, reveling in the way our lips fit together perfectly. "Sounds like we better use this chance to practice."

When she stares at me, unblinking, I chuckle. "What is it?"

"This is the second time recently that you've mentioned marrying me."

"Does that bother you?"

"No," she speaks softly. "We've just never really talked about it before."

I rub my hand over her open back, simultaneously pulling her closer until our chests touch. "You're my best friend, Dakota. I want to be by your side while you chase your dreams, and I'd love to have you next to me while I chase mine. I want the good, the bad, and the ugly with you. The many pets, adopted children, and selfishly, I would also like to be your permanent taste tester, because you're damn good at what you do."

She doesn't say anything for about thirty seconds, making my heart beat a bit faster until she finally does. "Do you get off on making me want to cry or something?"

I laugh loudly, my head falling forward. "I just spilled my heart to you and that's all you have to say?"

Her fingers start to twist the hair at the nape of my neck. "No. I also wanted to tell you how happy it would make me to be your wife one day, Park."

"Good, because I won't take no for an answer when that time comes."

We dance for a little while longer before her feet really begin hurting, so I sneak behind the bar once again and make her a fairly weak whiskey sour for the awards ceremony. Sitting around our table are Brooks, Connor, Ellie, Austin, and his new girlfriend, Sarah. They're all pretty buzzed compared to us, so we make sure to rein everyone in so Coach won't have our heads.

_______

Less than ten chapters to go (I think)! I only have next Monday and Thursdays chapters done, so there may not be a chapter the following Monday while I catch up, since I haven't been writing at all on my trip. Sorry!!!